5 TROUT CULTURE. 



on the look-out for such an opportunity. This, too, 

 will always be of service when it is desired to run off 

 the water in order to catch or examine the occupants 

 thereof, either for sale, spawning, or stock-taking. If 

 drought be even heard of from the oldest inhabitant, 

 when duly bribed with his favourite liquor, dams must 

 be put up here and there, to retain a sufficient body of 

 water in such a case. 



Secondly, it will be necessary to find out whether, 

 from any cause, the water of the main stream is likely 

 to be "backed up" by neglect of weed-cutting on the 

 part of those below, and out of the control of the 

 owner. This will not happen if the fall be sufficient. 



The nature of the soil, whether rock, gravel, or 

 chalk, will merely vary the cost of the operations. 

 Rock makes the soundest bed, but is generally more 

 expensive to work, and grows less natural food, but 

 the expenses of weed-cutting are correspondingly 

 lighter; whilst gravel and chalk are easier to work, 

 but not so permanent in their character. 



There is one other matter to be looked into, or to 

 which attention should be paid, namely, the proximity 

 of a bed of good holding clay, or of a supply of 

 hydraulic lime. One or other of these is necessary 

 for the successful bedding of the various sluices, gates, 

 and gratings for the easy and safe working of the 

 project. What red and white lead are to the gas- 

 fitter, one or other of these is to the pisciculturist. 



Having made a careful survey of the site, if needful 

 with the aid of a surveyor and his instruments, the 

 owner may proceed to work. Having sketched out 

 his plan to his satisfaction, marked the ground with 

 pegs, and got out his " quantities " for excavation (if 



